Illusive: exclusive cover reveal + giveaway

Today we’re pleased to be hosting the exclusive cover reveal and giveaway for debut author Emily Lloyd-Jones’ new book Illusive, coming out July 24, 2014 from Little Brown. I’ve had my eye on this title for awhile now, and I’m excited that we finally know more about it.

Illusive Synopsis

When the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of the population developed superhero-like powers. Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She’s what’s known as an illusionist… She’s also a thief.

After a robbery goes awry, Ciere teams up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals on another job that most would consider too reckless. The formula for the vaccine that gave them their abilities was supposedly destroyed years ago. But what if it wasn’t? The lines between good and bad, us and them, freedom and entrapment are blurred as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race against the government that could cost them their lives.

Doesn’t it sound like fun? For a die-hard scifi and thriller fan like me, it’s pure catnip! Without further ado, here is the cover, along with a few things the author wants you to know about her story:

Feel free to share this gorgeous cover!

5 Things to Know About ILLUSIVE
by Emily Lloyd-Jones

1. This book has a very geeky origin story.

I envy the writers who can reminisce about how their novel idea came to them in a dream/on a trip/during a moment of clarity. Those stories all sound so dignified.

I watched superhero movies. I watched too many superhero movies and decided they were unrealistic. That little voice in the back of my head kept saying that I could do it—I could write a realistic superhero origin story. But this plan hit a small snag when I realized something…

2. The main character isn’t heroic.

Ciere Giba is a 17-year-old super-powered thief. She’s got a short attention span, is a terrible driver, a decent pick pocket, has a weakness for cute animals, and her only real skill is that she casts life-like illusions over herself. When I was creating her, I realized that if teenagers had superpowers, the temptation to misuse them would be very strong.

I mean, if you could change your appearance at will, wouldn’t you be tempted to sneak into places you shouldn’t go?

3. I did a lot of research for this book. I had to. People who know me think it’s hilarious that I write about criminals… because I am the least criminal person ever. No really, I am. I follow traffic laws, I’ve never shoplifted, and I’m far too nervous to attempt anything illegal.

The research for ILLUSIVE included buying books on security cameras, learning the theory of lock-picking, having a friend’s dad teach me how to fire a handgun, and discovering what it felt like to be in a choke-hold.

Oh, and there was a sunny afternoon I spent driving up and down the Schuylkill River outside Philadelphia, looking for a place I could (theoretically) dump a body. That day, I really made sure to follow traffic laws.

4. Much of the inspiration for ILLUSIVE came from my fascination with Cold War history.

I like history. (Scratch that—I’m sort of in love with history.) One of the time periods I’m interested in is that of the Cold War—how two major super-powers faced off for decades, how the aftermath of the Manhattan Project affected the world, how close humanity came to the brink.

I realized this is how superpowers might play out in real life. People who possessed powers would be seen as walking, breathing weapons. These people would be dangerous and valuable, and governments would be desperate to have them. And not just have them, but use them. A bomb wouldn’t be the most terrifying thing out there: it would be a person who could make you hallucinate, read your mind, or even control your actions. Such circumstances would create an atmosphere of paranoia—you could never know who is dangerous and who isn’t. The world would be forced to operate under the assumption that every person possesses the potential to be a threat.

There would be no superheroes. Just people who possess powers—and want to survive. All of this probably sounds a little grim, which leads me into number five…

5. At its heart, ILLUSIVE is a caper. I meant it to be a romp with criminals who can levitate, read minds, cast illusions, and snark at one another. I hope readers have as much fun with this book as I did.

Win an ARC of ILLUSIVE!

Isn’t the cover amazing? I love how the noir moodiness of the colors and artwork, and the slanty words are very superhero-like. It almost looks like a sophisticated graphic novel.

Thanks to the author and our friends at Little Brown, one of our lucky readers will receive one of the very first ARCs of this title available. (Guys, it doesn’t even come out until July 2014, but you’re going to get it before the holidays!) All you have to do is leave a comment below telling us why you’re excited to read this book, and to fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Open to US and Canadian residents aged 18 and up, or 13 and up with parental permission. See complete rules on the entry form. Good luck!

Okay, when you mention that you’ve done research, you win me over. Completely. Also, superheroes are, in my opinion, quite lacking in the YA market – or maybe I’m not being pointed in the right direction? In any case, superheroes are always a good thing.

I love the cover! It has a very old school thriller sort of look while maintaining a modern beauty. It is super pretty. I wish I knew how people come up with such amazing designs because they certainly fit the book’s story to a T. Also the summary just sounds epic as well!

I love, love LOOVE the idea of this book! I’m a geeky girl myself, and I’ve always been fascinated by superpowers lol. Thanks for the giveaway ladies and to Emily for giving us a little more about Illusive(:

The cover’s funky. I like it:) Reading the interview pretty much sold me on it since I’ve never heard of a story that involves realistic non-superhero-superhumans lol. It’s a nice change for me since I normally read about people who save the world with their heroic-ness.

I was sold at the tagline, now you see her, now you don’t. And I LOVE capers. Seriously, the cover has intrigue, suspense, and shadows. I’m loving the idea of a band of teen superhero/thieves. Thanks for the great interview, can’t wait to read!

I have to admit I thought this post might benefit from an excerpt while I was reading it, just because it’s hard for me to imagine. That being said, I LOVE the thought of a superhero book… where the main character is more of a villain. (Also, where the main character isn’t a man. hey-o.)

Not such a superhero fan, but you had me at the word “caper.” Because those are some of my favorite kinds of stories: To Catch a Thief, Ocean’s Eleven, The Italian Job. I’m in! Putting this on the TBR — and entering :)Jen @ YA Romantics

I’m looking forward to this book! YA thrillers have been hit-or-miss for me lately, but with the addition of superpowers and cold war/history perspective, this sounds like it will be just the thing I’ve been craving!

I think YA thrillers are hit or miss in general, with more misses across the board, to be honest. But I’m always excited to find exceptions, and every other element that the author mentions makes it sound like a very non-cookie-cutter story. Fingers crossed!

This book sounds amazing! The synopsis reminds me a little of Vicious (in that they are both antihero, superpowers kind of books) and that was one of my favorite books of 2013.

I also love an author that does her homework (see Mira Grant and the relationship she developed with the CDC when working out the details of Kellis-Amberlee) I’m a huge research nerd, so I relate to the desire to look stuff up, plus you can totally tell when an author has or hasn’t done their homework.

Oh, I need to read VICIOUS too–I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, since I haven’t come across too many reviews for that yet. I really enjoyed THE ARCHIVED, though.

I am the biggest Mira Grant fan, so understood completely on the huge bonus when an author does her research. Have you read PARASITE yet? Another great example of integrating research into a story in a way that feels organic.

I’m excited to read this book because my favorite superheroes are the ones who live in the gray areas. They aren’t Superman wholesome, and kind of play around with the definitions of good and evil. They make mistakes and questionable decisions, and they’re usually more interesting, well-rounded characters because of it.

Oh, I love the sound of this! And that cover is really pretty :D (the tagline hooked me!) And most superhero stories are pretty unrealistic, so I’m curious to see how Emily went about tackling that aspect :D

If I saw this in a bookstore, I would definitely pick it up.I love superhero books, and though this cover reads a little bit more noir/mystery, it gets the point across. And it looks like a book that isn’t taking itself too seriously. This is going on my too-many-books-to-read-in-one-lifetime-I’m-going-to-try-anyway-WTR list.

Oh my gosh, yes. I am a total sucker for anything super hero because I am one giant X-Men nerd. I love the spin that she’s not actually 100% good, that definitely adds some depth to an otherwise typical superhero storyline. Oh I’m definitely reading this. Love the cover too!

I love love love X-Men, too. And before them, I loved Superfriends and Wonder Woman, it’s the ultimate fantasy to have a special power that comes in handy. The spin definitely adds a huge amount of interest as well!

I’ve had my eye on this book a while now too! Superpowers are my favorite reading subject, so I’ve been really been looking forward to this one! And that cover is AWESOME – definitely gives it a proper caper feel.

I haven’t read DARK EYES or many super powered YA books; I often love the idea more than the execution, although there are always exceptions. Ciere sounds like an interesting character, though, so I am very hopeful!

I like that the MC isn’t heroic. Just because you have powers doesn’t make you good or bad. You’re just a human with a little oomph (though, wouldn’t that be cool to have a little oomph? I’d be all over it).

Exactly–nuanced characters are the most interesting kind, both protagonists and antagonists. I’m really curious to see how Ciere uses her powers, I know I’d probably get into some trouble if I had some, too. ;)

Yeah, I was already intrigued by the one or two lines I initially read, then got more excited by the synopsis, and then by the time I read her post about what to expect, I was totally sold! Really looking forward to meeting Ciere, too.

Ooh, this sounds interesting! I like that they’ve got superpowers but aren’t really using them for good. And I want to know what this big crime–and how it will play out, of course. Also, I’m digging the cover–plays onto the synopsis nicely! Thanks for the reveal and giveaway!